Literature & Websites

Feb 27, 2013 -
Richardson, TXÂ – A new e-book from ASSET- InterTech (www.asset-intertech.com ), the leading supplier of tools for embedded instrumentation, takes a close look at how run-control tools can employ a processor’s on-chip cache memory instead of on-board RAM memory to boot non-booting prototype circuit boards.

“Designers often face a catch-22. They have to diagnose a non-booting prototype, but they can’t debug anything without some software running on the circuit board,” said Larry Osborn, technical product manager for ASSET and author of the new e-book. Fortunately, run-control tools can help designers employ CPU cache-as-RAM methods to find faults like defects in the memory controller or in its link to the CPU. Simply applying power to a prototype doesn’t help the engineer much because when the board won’t boot, he doesn’t know whether it’s a hardware or software problem.

About ASSET InterTech
ASSET InterTech is the leading supplier of tools for embedded instrumentation for design validation, test and debug. The ScanWorks platform provides automation, access and analysis tools in one environment. Users can quickly and easily validate and test semiconductors, circuit boards or entire systems during every phase of a product's life, including design, manufacturing/repair and field maintenance. ASSET InterTech is located at 2201 North Central Expressway, Suite 105, Richardson, TX 75080.

Original Press Release

New e-book Explores How CPU Cache-as-RAM Can Help Debug Non-Booting Prototype Circuit Boards

Press release date: Feb 26, 2013

Richardson, TX – A new e-book from ASSET- InterTech (www.asset-intertech.com ), the leading supplier of tools for embedded instrumentation, takes a close look at how run-control tools can employ a processor’s on-chip cache memory instead of on-board RAM memory to boot non-booting prototype circuit boards.

“Designers often face a catch-22. They have to diagnose a non-booting prototype, but they can’t debug anything without some software running on the circuit board,” said Larry Osborn, technical product manager for ASSET and author of the new e-book. Fortunately, run-control tools can help designers employ CPU cache-as-RAM methods to find faults like defects in the memory controller or in its link to the CPU. Simply applying power to a prototype doesn’t help the engineer much because when the board won’t boot, he doesn’t know whether it’s a hardware or software problem.

About ASSET InterTech ASSET InterTech is the leading supplier of tools for embedded instrumentation for design validation, test and debug. The ScanWorks platform provides automation, access and analysis tools in one environment. Users can quickly and easily validate and test semiconductors, circuit boards or entire systems during every phase of a product's life, including design, manufacturing/repair and field maintenance. ASSET InterTech is located at 2201 North Central Expressway, Suite 105, Richardson, TX 75080.